USDA Rural Development has announced a total of $206,400 through Community Facility Grants which will benefit five Maine community organizations.
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “These are very meaningful investments in Maine’s rural communities that each serve a vital purpose. These grants assist with projects that are of immense importance to Maine people. They will help preserve the cultural identity of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, protect the iconic Atlantic Salmon, enhance arts and culture for future generations in Downeast Maine, improve the health of northern Maine residents through enhanced dental services, and revitalize a rural downtown community center.”
The five organizations selected to receiving funding are:
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The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, located in Houlton, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Grant in the amount of $29,700 and Rural Economic Impact Initiative Grant in the amount of $20,300. Funding will be used for the development of a tribal cemetery to be located on Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Lands, in Littleton. The tribal burial grounds will provide services to all tribal members. The lack of a Tribal Cemetery impedes the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians the ability to own, govern and maintain their own Tribal Cemetery. An integral part of the tribe's cultural identity is a burial ground for its members. Without a tribal cemetery, tribal members are buried in scattered cemeteries throughout the state of Maine, United States and Canada. This also creates a problem of missing links to past generations and the inability to track lineage. This project is very important to the Tribal Community for cultural and historical significance.
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The Downeast Salmon Federation, Inc., located in Machias, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Grant in the amount of $50,000. USDA Rural Development funding is needed to complete the third and final construction phase-the elevator and wet laboratory at the East Machias Aquatic Research Center. The East Machias Aquatic Research Center was acquired by Downeast Salmon Federation in 2000. The Downeast Salmon Federation has raised and invested $1.1 million renovating the former dilapidated hydroelectric plant which earned them the National Coastal America Partnership Award for transforming a blighted building into a state-of-the-art conservation hatchery, fisheries research center, and education facility.
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Eastport Arts Center, located in Eastport, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Grant in the amount of $50,000. Rural Development funding will assist in providing energy conservation improvements through replacing outdated appliances and increasing the insulation value of the walls to increase energy savings. In addition to being a venue for the arts, two other services are Eastport Arts Center’s role in contributing to K-12 education and its role as a community anchor. The building which now houses the Eastport Arts Center was formerly, and originally, the Washington Street Baptist Church. Purchased by the Eastport Art Center in 2004, much restoration and renovation work has been completed to bring it into compliance with current codes in order to make it available for public use.
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Aroostook Dental Clinic, Inc., located in Presque Isle, has been selected to receive a Rural Economic Impact Initiative Grant in the amount of $35,500. Rural Development funds will be used to purchase a new central nitrous system and additional operating room instrumentation. Aroostook Dental Clinic owns and operates a dental clinic located at 122 Academy Street in Presque Isle. The Clinic reaches out to all children of Aroostook County, especially those without a current dental home. The Aroostook Dental Clinic (dba St. Apollonia Dental Clinic) provides quality dental services and education for low and moderate income dental patients and their families. Since its establishment in 2011, the four dental chair clinic has built a patient base of over 3,000 children.
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Unity Barn Raisers, located in Unity, has been selected to receive a Rural Economic Impact Initiative Grant in the amount of $20,900. Rural Development funds will be used for sill replacement under the community center, as well as installing 3 heat pumps to assist with energy efficiency measures. Unity Barn Raisers’ purpose is to revitalize Unity's downtown, re-energize its farm culture, and involve volunteers in the active work of building a vibrant community. The organization took an innovative approach to community development with several creative projects, including transforming a vacant downtown building into a new community center.
USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 54 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me.